Waterloo may get $3 million from state for algae treatment

Village water superintendent Jim Bromka was well aware of the harmful algal blooms spotted in Seneca Lake late this summer.

“I was hoping we’d dodged it getting into our water system, but that didn’t happen,” Bromka told the Village Board Monday.

However, Bromka told trustees that there were some toxins measured at very low levels, and that the water has been and continues to be safe to drink.

Recent testing has shown no toxins present, he added.

Nonetheless, the presence of the toxins may result in the village getting another $3 million from the state toward a planned upgrade to its water treatment plant. Mayor Ted Young said village officials were informed Friday that they may be eligible for the additional funding due to the blue-green algae that was found in the water supply. The village is waiting for approval on another $3 million grant it wants to use toward the treatment plant.